As mentioned previously, THE BRIDGE has been picked up and will be made into a tv series. Below is the official press release announcing it.
CTV Crosses THE BRIDGE: New Drama Series Joins CTV’s Original Production Slate
Date: November 3, 2008
Source: CNW Group
CTV Orders New Drama Series THE BRIDGE – CTV Crosses THE BRIDGE: New Drama Series Joins CTV’s Original Production Slate
– Compelling and provocative cop drama executive-produced by Toronto Police veteran Craig Bromell –
Toronto, Ontario (November 3, 2008) – CTV announced today the order of a new one-hour original Canadian drama series, THE BRIDGE. Based on the insights of veteran insider and outspoken former Toronto police union head Craig Bromell, CTV has ordered 11, one-hour episodes, following the production of a two-hour pilot shot in Toronto last summer. THE BRIDGE provides an unflinching look at the struggle street cops face as they not only battle criminals – but also their own bosses – in order to protect society and, ultimately, themselves.
Produced by Barna-Alper Productions, an Entertainment One company, 990 Multi Media Entertainment Company and Jonsworth Productions, in association with CTV, production of THE BRIDGE is scheduled to begin in 2009. THE BRIDGE becomes the third, new original drama series to be ordered by CTV in the last year, joining last summer’s breakout hit FLASHPOINT and THE LISTENER, currently in production.
“Craig Bromell is one of the most galvanizing figures in the history of policing in Canada,” said Susanne Boyce, President, Creative, Content and Channels, CTV Inc. “We look forward to working with him on THE BRIDGE, and bringing to Canadian audiences a distinct and authentic view of life behind the scenes of a modern police force.”
“We set out to make the most realistic two-hour movie drama about cops ever seen on TV, and it has paid off,” said Craig Bromell, Executive Producer, 990 Multi Media Entertainment Company. “We expose the inner workings of a big city police force – the police, power and politics behind the blue line. It’s something that hasn’t been seen before on TV, and we’re grateful to CTV for this opportunity. We’re looking forward to collaborating with Alan Di Fiore to create even more compelling, hard-hitting storylines for the series.”
“We are very excited to be able to bring to our new company this gritty, realistic series that is brought to life by Alan Di Fiore and produced by CTV,” said Laszlo Barna, Executive Producer, Barna-Alper Productions, an Entertainment One company.
Written by five-time Gemini Award winner and six-time nominee Alan Di Fiore (DA VINCI’S INQUEST, THE LIFE, THE HANDLER), THE BRIDGE peels away the veneer of a big-city Canadian police force to reveal the political machinations underneath. After the rank and file unanimously vote street cop Frank Leo (Aaron Douglas) into office as union head, he begins his quest to put street cops first and clean up the force from the ground up.
But the old boys’ network running the police force and the city’s self-serving politicians are not about to sit idly by while a former street cop makes up his own rules. Frank walks a thin blue line as he battles wiretaps and a concerted campaign to bring him down, letting nothing stop him from fulfilling his unwavering vow that when cops are in trouble, the union will be there.
THE BRIDGE stars Aaron Douglas (BATTLESTAR GALACTICA, SMALLVILLE) as outspoken union head Frank Leo; Paul Popowich (ANGELA’S EYES, I ME WED) as Frank’s partner and confidante Tommy Dunn; Gemini-Award nominee Inga Cadranel (RENT-A-GOALIE, MVP) as Jill, the free-spirited cop on the force; Frank Cassini (Vice, INTELLIGENCE) as Staff Sergeant Bernie Kantor; Theresa Joy (ALL THE GOOD ONES ARE MARRIED, Sixty Days) as feisty tomboy Police Constable Billy; Ona Grauer (STARGATE SG-1 and STARGATE ATLANTIS) as beautiful, passionate prosecutor Abby St. James; Michael Murphy (Away from Her, X-Men: The Last Stand) as Chief of Police, and political animal, Ed Wycoff; and two-time Emmy Award winner Stuart Margolin (THE ROCKFORD FILES, TOM STONE) as Frank’s father, Vic Leo.
THE BRIDGE is produced by Barna-Alper Productions, 990 Multi Media Entertainment Company and Jonsworth Productions, in association with CTV. Executive Producers are Craig Bromell, Laszlo Barna, Adam J. Shully, Alan Di Fiore and Robert Wertheimer. Wendy Grean is producer. CTV’s Production Executive is Brett Burlock. Susanne Boyce is President, Creative, Content and Channels, CTV Inc.
ABOUT 990 MULTI MEDIA ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY:
990 Multi Media Entertainment Company is a Canadian production company that was jointly founded in 2005 by Craig Bromell and Adam J. Shully. Their goal is to tell the “best police stories out there” across a variety of mediums, including television series, feature films and documentaries as well as acquiring dramatic, autobiographical and biographical literary works to translate into moving images. Bromell’s 26 years on the Toronto Police Force coupled with Shully’s 25 year history in the film and television industry affords 990 Multi Media Entertainment Company a unique voice and ability to tell these stories. THE BRIDGE is the company’s first television venture with producing partner Barna-Alper Productions.ABOUT BARNA-ALPER PRODUCTIONS:
Barna-Alper Productions is one of Canada’s leading independent production companies. Renowned for its excellent dramatic and documentary production, the company has garnered numerous national and international awards over the years. The team is led by Laszlo Barna, a passionate advocate for the Canadian film and television industry. The company’s dramatic series slate is crowned by seven seasons of CBC’s DA VINCI’S INQUEST, best drama, and award-winning series BLUE MURDER and DA KINK IN MY HAIR. Recent television movies include CELINE, a musical biopic about Céline Dion; the acclaimed SHANIA: A LIFE IN EIGHT ALBUMS; CHOICE: THE HENRY MORGENTALER STORY and the mini-series, OCTOBER 1970. With over 25 years of experience, Barna-Alper continues making productions that are relevant to audiences around the world. Barna Alper along with Blueprint Entertainment, Oasis International and Maximum Films was recently acquired by Entertainment One. For more information, visit www.bap.ca.ABOUT CTV:
CTV, Canada’s largest private broadcaster, offers a wide range of quality news, sports, information, and entertainment programming. It has the number-one national newscast, CTV NATIONAL NEWS WITH LLOYD ROBERTSON, and is the number-one choice for prime-time viewing. CTVglobemedia Inc. is Canada’s premier multi-media company which owns CTV Inc. and The Globe and Mail. CTV Inc. also owns radio stations across the country, and leading national specialty channels. Other CTVglobemedia investments include an interest in Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, and in Dome Productions, a North American leader in the provision of mobile high definition production facilities. More information about CTV may be found on the company website at www.ctv.ca.